Nagpur: Himanshi Sharad Gawande, an exceptional talent hailing from Nagpur’s hockey circles, stands on the brink of representing India on the international stage. The gifted forward has clinched a spot among the 41 probables selected for the junior women’s national coaching camp, scheduled to commence on Monday at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Bengaluru.
Hockey India (HI) revealed the roster of 41 probables, assessing their performances in the 2023 domestic championships. These promising athletes, under the guidance of coach Tushar Khandker, are slated for an intensive month-long training camp concluding on February 6.
A product of Ira International School, Himanshi has showcased her prowess while representing both Vidarbha and Hockey Maharashtra in numerous junior nationals, consistently delivering commendable performances. Her knack for excellence has seen her secure the coveted title of the tournament’s best player on multiple occasions.
Currently honing her skills at SAI Mumbai, Himanshi has now set her sights on impressing the Junior India selectors at the ‘upgraded’ SAI Bengaluru facility. Her decision to transition from Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) to Hockey Maharashtra stemmed from a pursuit of enhanced opportunities. Coupled with internal conflicts within VHA, the quality of hockey in Nagpur was on the decline. Himanshi’s strategic move to join Hockey Maharashtra proved fruitful, securing her a regular berth in the state team before catching the eye of SAI Mumbai selectors.
As she embarks on this pivotal phase of her career, Himanshi’s journey symbolizes not just personal triumph but also underscores the potential to uplift the sport in regions like Nagpur, where her perseverance and talent have illuminated a path for aspiring athletes.
Himanshi will be the second player from Nagpur to be included in Hockey India’s core probables list. A few years back, Indian Railways’ midfielder and Nagpur’s Niyaz Rahim was part of the Senior men’s probables. Junior women’s coach and former India player Tushar Khandker said India has a dearth of talent and these probables will be monitored closely. This core group has been picked based on the players’ performances for their respective state teams in Hockey India Junior Women’s National Championship, Zonal Championships as well as Junior Women Academy National Championships and Zonal Championships, Khandker said.
